MELAKA: A former soldier with the rank of corporal claimed trial to 17 counts of alleged outrage of modesty and injuring a male private.

Mohd Amanah Habhijullah, 36, pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read out to him before Magistrate Sharda Shienha Mohd Suleiman in Ayer Keroh here on Friday (March 15).

For the first 15 charges, the accused was alleged to have forcefully outraged the modesty of the 20-year-old victim.

The alleged offences took place on the second floor of the bachelor's room, Villa Kesatria, 73, Terendak Camp at Sungai Udang in Melaka Tengah district between midnight and 6am from Aug 25 to Oct 14 last year.

The charges were framed under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries up to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine, whipping, or any two punishments upon conviction.

The accused was also charged with two counts of allegedly causing injury to the man at the same location at 2am on Oct 15 and at 3pm on Oct 16 under Section 323 of the Penal Code which carries a two-year jail term upon conviction.

DPP Nor Asnini Kamarudin prosecuted while the accused was represented by lawyer S. Daniel.

The court granted bail of RM9,000 for the first 15 charges and RM1,000 for each of the two charges for causing injury, with two sureties.

The court also imposed an additional condition that the two sureties must be locals residing in Melaka.

The accused was also ordered to report to the nearest police station each month until disposal of the case.

The next mention date was fixed for April 30.